Virtual Career Network

Helping individuals find good careers in the healthcare, green economy, and transit industries

The Virtual Career Network (VCN) is a comprehensive online tool for exploring careers, locating training and education programs, and finding jobs in three industry fields: healthcare, green economy, and transit. The National Association of Workforce Boards has been part of the Virtual Career Network effort since its first industry release in 2012, as part of our commitment to ensuring that professionals in the workforce system have access to the best tools for preparing and placing individuals into in-demand jobs.

Transit Virtual Career Network

Transit is a $55 billion industry that directly employs more than 400,000 workers, and with nearly half of the public transportation workforce expected to retire over the next five to 10 years, opportunities for employment in this industry are great. In addition, many metro areas are expanding infrastructure and adding transit services to keep up with increased ridership demand and millennials’ preference for public transportation options over car ownership. This adds to the job opportunities available from retirements alone. The Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration funded the Transit VCN, which contains information on more than 50 occupations. NAWB partnered with the American Association of Community Colleges, the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and the Cen­ter for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT), both at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); and XPAND Corporation on the development of this industry component.

Healthcare Virtual Career Network

The healthcare industry continues to provide some of the best career opportunities in the country. Healthcare is the country's fastest growing field. Over 7 million new job openings will be available by 2016. To help job seekers, career changers, and entry level individuals enter healthcare, the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration funded the development of the Healthcare VCN in 2012, with comprehensive information on 75 different healthcare careers. The National Association of Workforce Boards worked with the American Association of Community Colleges, XPAND Corporation, the American Council on Education, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, DirectEmployers Association, the U.S. Department of Defense, Jobs for the Future, the American Dental Education Association, Ed2Go, and iSeek Solutions on the development of this initial industry component.

Green Jobs Virtual Career Network

Green jobs have tremendous benefits to the workers who hold them, our environment, and our country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there are 3.1 million jobs in green economy. It demonstrates the obvious – that green jobs are real, and critical to our rebuilding economy. With nearly 13 million Americans out of work right now, the green economy is putting people back to work. More importantly, the green economy represents a major growth opportunity for America moving forward. The IGEN Green Economy VCN was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration in 2013, and contains information on 12 occupations.